Minister for Police Troy Grant joined NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller and Deputy Commissioner for Regional Field Operations Gary Worboys last week at the Wagga Wagga Police Station to announce the first Region Enforcement Squad in country NSW.

The new Region Enforcement Squad will aim to decrease the workload for frontline police in the Monaro.

Member for the Monaro, John Barilaro said, by pooling our regional resources with the capability to prevent and disrupt crime, our officers will be able to place focus on proactive policing rather than reactive policing.

Minister for Police Troy Grant said Commissioner Fuller is driving the first significant reforms to the NSW Police Force’s structure in two decades.

“Today’s announcement is just a start of what regional communities can expect to see as the re-engineering process continues,” Mr Grant said.

“The message here is simple: More resources for country cops, fewer victims, and less pressure on the frontline.”

Commissioner Fuller said it is long overdue the country has the same resources as its city neighbours.

“As the Commissioner I’ve spoken since day one about the need to have a flexible workforce. This is re-engineering in action.

“Region Enforcement Squads are about targeting the criminals that are driving crime in country areas. The officers will be equipped with covert assets worth tens of thousands of dollars and trained to work on targets across towns and region borders.”

Deputy Commissioner Worboys said this is another resource available to tackle the scourge of illegal drugs and rural crime.

“Officers work diligently across the state to put the communities they serve first, and this additional resource will help them prevent and disrupt those crimes that are having an impact on the everyday lives of residents and businesses,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

“Region Enforcement Squad units can be deployed across NSW to tackle crimes like mid-level drug supply, which will allow uniformed officers more time to focus on other crimes.”